Terminology:
Death by a thousand cuts – was a capital punishment carried out from the Ming Dynasty up till the early 20th century. The criminal was bound to a pole and literally parts of an individual were cut off until they ultimately died from blood loss.
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The following morning Feng Ming’s eyes fluttered open with the warmth of the rising sun.
Shortly after, the memories of last night’s activities flooded back into his mind, he could not help but to blush from ear to ear.
He contemplated for a while on what to do, but decided in any case he had to face the King so he prepared for the worst and committed himself to confront his bed partner.
His gritted as he rolled over give the King a good stare down.
Once he had moved, he was surprised to discover the man who had embraced him as they shared the bed for the night was no where to be found and in fact had disappeared without a trace.
In a flash, an overwhelming anger hit him, feeling dejected by the desertion discontent bubbled from the depths of his heart.
Feng Ming sat himself up on the bed and stared blankly at the spot where the King had slept.
His slender fingers reached for the surface of the bed was still warm where the man had laid remained slightly depressed from the older man’s weight.
Why did he leave in a hurry?
Chiu Lan was outside, waiting on her master to wake, hearing the shuffling inside the Prince’s chambers prompt her to enter and a.s.sist the Prince to change into his outfit.
“Chiu Lan…”
“Your Highness, what is the matter?”
Feng Ming dipped his head, thought about it briefly and decided to not pursue the matter.
He shook his head.
“Forget about it.”
Is it possible that Rong w.a.n.g is even more thin skin than me?
Was he was too embarra.s.sed to see me so he made his break before morning?
The idea of the Regent King scrambling in panic before taking flight made his stomach twitch, though it was more likely due to hunger.
Chiu Lan had also brought his meal.
Feng Ming indulged his imagination over the question “why?” as he ate his breakfast absentmindedly.
For the past few days, Rong Tian had been turning up to his quarters like clockwork, bright and early every morning.
As much as Feng Ming didn’t welcome the man, the King did provide some type of muse for Feng Ming upon each visit.
Boredom can make one desperate.
Feng Ming found the King annoying when he ever he hung around however when the King was absence a bit of him was missing that daily “muse”.
After taking his meal, he waited for two hours hoping that something would happen. His impatient hit the roof when nothing more than insects paid him any attention. So he decided to try his luck and see whether he could escape out of the Prince’s quarters again.
Considering it wasn’t his first time, he knew the chances were slim given that every other time the guards easily caught him.
As if it had become a routine for him to try and only be dragged back to his confines. He was beginning to treat their daily episodes as good exercise.
He stealthily stuck his head out to check the coast was clear around his chamber before attempting his dash to escape the guarded doors of the hall’s main entrance.
Sure enough, as soon as he stepped foot outside the perimeter, he smacked into someone’s chest, and that someone immediately arrested Feng Ming.
The strong grip hauled the Highness back into his cage.
Only this time his handler wasn’t a palace guard, it was the King himself.
“What? You can’t tolerate staying still for a second?” he chided.
The King released his hold on Feng Ming’s collar and dragged him along to sit down next to him at a table before ordering Chiu Lan to bring a hot meal.
“Prepare our meal and bring some light refreshments.”
When Chiu Lan left the two, Feng Ming studied the King’s face when he didn’t see any signs of awkwardness from their activities in bed he was able to ease up his concerns.
Not before long, Chiu Lan returned and promptly placed dozens of delicious snacks and down on the table before excusing herself.
“Haven’t you had breakfast?” Rong Tian asked as he reached for his chopsticks and picked up a palace made savory dumpling. He gladly fed himself and chewed it delicately and nodded to the Prince.
Instead of a reply Feng Ming interrogated the King, “Where did you go so early in the morning?”
Rong Tian suddenly snorted at the question, a smile pulled across his lips as he studied the boy.
Feng Ming went red, the eyes that pinned down on him was making him fl.u.s.tered.
However, that was short lived as he defended himself angrily.
“Don’t you mistake it as if I’m concerned about you.” He spat.
“Why do you blush so easily? What are you ashamed of?” Rong w.a.n.g shuffled in his seat and outstretched his hand for Feng Ming’s waist.
“Come over here.” He commanded the Prince.
“What are you going to do?” The boy looked at him with suspicious eyes.
“You have to sit on my lap.”
“Get out! I’m not a ‘call girl’” offended Feng Ming struggled away from the swaying hand in front of him.
“What’s a call girl?”
Feng Ming face pulled back in a grimace, he stuck out his tongue at the King.
“It’s not like you’d ever have the fortune to see one, she’s a beautiful woman of G.o.ddess like proportions.”
With that said the Prince dodged the hand that shot out for him again, and he escaped to sit the furthest he could manage from the King’s position.
Rong Tian looked at Feng Ming’s display, rested the pair of chopsticks and calmly reached into his chest pocket, and drew out yesterday’s offending handkerchief.
The younger man’s eyes widened like saucers as soon as he caught the first glimpse of the white material, he suddenly jumped up and demanded angrily.
“That’s mine! Give it back to me, we had a deal!”
Rong w.a.n.g gave him a scandalous smile.
“I’ve only received half of your deposit and if you succeed in a.s.sisting me to become the ‘ruler of all’ then I’ll happily return the rest to you.”
